Donate fire relief to local charities, urges group

A group that evaluates charities is urging Canadians to donate money for Fort McMurray relief to local charities rather than to the Canadian Red Cross.  So far, Canadians have donated an unprecedented $67 million to that agency to help the 80,000 people who fled the massive wildfire that started on May 1.

“The Fort McMurray wildfire is one of the largest catastrophes that Canada’s ever had to face,” says Kate Bahen, managing director of Charity Intelligence Canada, a group that promotes non-traditional charities and evaluates them. “The images, the fire…it has moved all of us.”

Local charities effective in past disasters

While she understands that the Red Cross is traditionally the go-to charity for Canadians looking to donate money for natural disasters, she urges them to consider giving to local charities. Bahen says experience from other disasters such as the Slave Lake fire of 2011, the Lac Megantic explosion of 2013 and the Calgary flood of the same year suggests that local agencies were most effective at providing relief.

“From past experience, it is these organizations that…don’t get the donations but respond quickly. And they are so effective in helping the community get back on its feet,” says Bahen.

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Givers worry about scams

Canada’s Competition Bureau has already warned Canadians to be on the lookout for scam artists who claim to represent charities collecting for relief for the fire victims. So, Canadians may prefer to donate to a recognized entity like the Canadian Red Cross.

But Charity Intelligence Canada says there are other reputable agencies like food banks, and shelters, and it lists several on its website with links to their financial information where available.

‘Be informed’

“Be informed. Read up on these charities,” says Bahen. “When it comes to giving, don’t just automatically think ‘oh, I’ll give to the Red Cross.’ Take a little bit of time and look at these charities which are so often overlooked.”